This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A LaVerkin man was arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail on suspicion of murder — but LaVerkin police later reported the victim was still alive.
John Stettler Stucki, 54, was originally booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility at 11:28 p.m. Tuesday, on suspicion of aggravated murder, in addition to disorderly conduct, intoxication and criminal mischief.
But The Spectrum newspaper reported that the murder charge was changed sometime after 2 p.m. Wednesday to aggravated assault because LaVerkin police reported the victim was alive.
Stucki's bail was dropped from $25,733 to $10,733.
His booking photo indicates he recently sustained a serious beating and facial injuries.
LaVerkin Police Chief Lloyd Watkins told The Spectrum that the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the residence where Stucki was staying, on the 200 South block of 100 East.
Stucki called for medical help after an altercation with another man; emergency responders arrived to find both Stucki and the other man injured, Watkins told the local newspaper.
"A couple of guys who were intoxicated just got to fighting," Watkins told The Spectrum.
The second man was flown to a Las Vegas hospital, The Spectrum reported.
Watkins did not immediately return Tribune inquiries on Wednesday afternoon.
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